Survey Shows Brits Plan To Spend £9.3bn On Post-Lockdown Treats

Brits are planning to spend an average £195 each on the high street on life-after-lockdown treats – equating to £9.3 billion1 across the UK – according to new research from American Express (NYSE:AXP). Shoppers are hitting their local high street to treat themselves to meals and drinks out, along with some new items for their wardrobe.

The top treats people will be spending their money on are restaurant meals, new clothes, followed by drinks at the pub.

TOP TREATS UK ADULTS WILL BE SHOPPING FOR ON THE HIGH STREET

Brits hitting the high street in search of little luxuries can earn up to £50 in statement credits with the American Express Shop Small offer, which gives eligible Cardmembers a £5 statement credit when they spend £10 or more at participating small businesses. The offer requires enrolment and is valid once per participating small business location, up to 10 times, until 13 September 2020. Full details can be found here.

FOMO (FEAR OF MISSING OUT)

Brits have experienced a case of FOMO during lockdown. Nearly half (49%) of UK adults said they longed to go out for professionally cooked meals and more than a third (36%) admitted to missing trips to the hairdresser and regular hair treatments. Lockdown locks became somewhat infamous during the past few months – with almost one in five (19%) attempting their own haircuts at home.

Other sorely missed activities included drinks at the pub (33%), going to the cinema (24%) and browsing in bookshops (18%).

GETTING READY TO SHOP IN-STORE

As a nation, our love for local has been stoked by the lockdown measures. Half of those who increased their online spending during lockdown plan to spend more on their local high street now that restrictions have eased.

Steph McGovern, journalist and television presenter, is backing the American Express Shop Small campaign. She said: “Lockdown gave us the opportunity to think about how we spend and what we buy. Now is a really good time to take stock of your spending habits and think about how you could spend more wisely by taking advantage of offers, discounts and benefits. And there’s no better way to show some love to our much missed independent retailers by popping into their store and seeing what’s new.”

Source : American Express

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